Politicians share lighter moments during RS polls

Bhopal, Mar 28 (UNI) Polling for the biennial election to fill up three Rajya Sabha seats from Madhya Pradesh was marked by a few lighter moments between members of ruling and opposition parties.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan remained present at the polling centre in the Vidhan Sabha premises here from the start and gathered information about BJP legislators going for voting from state party president Narendra Singh Tomar.

When former Chief Minister Babulal Gaur went to Opposition Leader Jamuna Devi's room, opposition members present there welcomed him and urged him to vote in the favour of Congress-supported independent candidate Vivek Tankha.

Ms Devi said the Congress would help him become Chief Minister again if he voted in Mr Tankha's favour. However, Mr Gaur maintained a silent smile. On this, Ms Devi asked him to get two-four more votes along with him. Mr Gaur replied that what was the surety that even he would cross over.

Union Minister of State Suresh Pachouri reached the polling centre one-and-half hours after the polling began and reached straight to Ms Devi's room where he had a 'tete a tete' with Mr Tankha.

When SP leader Dr Sunilam arrived at the polling venue along with his party's five MLAs at 1130 hours, Mr Tankha accompanied them to the polling centre.